My mum has been busy knitting some flowers and making them into brooches, a few of which are above. The whole range will be available in my shop very soon. Making things has had to take a backseat this week for me due to more illness (which caused me to miss my exciting trip to London in search of supplies and inspiration) and also because I have been spending my time revising for a very important test to do with my job. Hopefully I will have plenty of time later this week to get back into things. I have picked up the old crochet hook again though, and have started a very special gift for someone, but more information on that will follow in due course!

Love this book

I love this book! When I saw it in the shop I couldn't decide whether it was for children or adults. It was placed in the fashion section, next to the art books, not with the children's books, and that's when I realised, it's not for kids, it's for big kids! It's a colouring book for adults! But if you know a little girl who loves fashion and designing then this is the perfect present! The wonderful illustrations reference actual designers and their designs and ask you to colour, complete the pattern and create your own designs. It is an enchanting and fun look into the fashion world and will make you want to doodle. Love, love, love it! I had to buy it! Check out the author's website for more pictures http://www.ninachakrabarti.com/

Kimono Fabric Clutch

Today I got a delivery of new fabric and couldn't resist making this little clutch from the kimono fabric. I love this fabric. It's not possible to tell from the photograph but there is a subtle gold outline around some of the flowers making this fabric even more special. I have added a heart shaped magnetic clasp to fasten it. The magnetic clasp is very strong so you have to be really careful opening it but it adds a cute touch to the bag.

Purses

For a long time I've been wanting to use purse and bag frames and I have built up quite a collection over the past couple of years. It's taken a few attempts to get it right, but I think I've finally cracked it, and I'm pretty pleased with myself!!!

Purse frames can be difficult to use because they are all different shapes and sizes, therefore patterns don't exist as such. However after plenty of experimentation I have created these two small coin purses.

I have chosen vintage style floral fabrics and added a ribbon so the purse can be worn around the wrist. I love these purses so much that I've ordered more of the same type of frame so that I can make a whole range in fabrics of a similar style.

Now I've finally cracked how to make a simple purse using a frame, I'm going to use some bigger frames to make clutch bags and, very exciting, I have some frames that are a frame inside a frame! So once made, when you open your clutch there will be a little coin purse attached inside! It looks like this below..

Once they are made you will be the first to see the finished results! It's going to be a busy half term!

New Jewellery Collection

I have been really busy over the past few weeks. Firstly I have been designing and making this new jewellery range which contains vintage and vintage inspired pieces. The reoccuring motif throughout the collection is birds, bows and flowers, a theme which also runs through my fabric choices for my bags (which are coming soon).

I also spent a lot of time making more of my signature fabric covered button earrings, and there are lots more in my shop. Here are a few of my favourites...

For a long time I've struggled with taking good enough pictures of the things I make for my website and this blog and I've found it so frustrating at times. Last week I bought a daylight lamp and it has made a huge difference to my photos as light (or lack of it) was always my problem. I bought the lamp for £15 from Range, and later saw the exact same one in John Lewis for £35! I was pleased I got a bargin because usually it is the other way round for me!

If I could make shoes, they would look like this....

Yesterday I bought some kimono fabric online for a new range of clutch bags I am developing. It's no secret that I am inspired by all things Japanese at the moment, so it will be no surprise that I couldn't contain my excitement when today I discovered Hetty Rose, a fantastic bespoke shoe designer. She was featured in this months issue of Sew magazine and when I saw her shoes I knew that if I could make shoes they would be like this!
Her fabrics are exactly what I am inspired by. I think this idea is so unique, so different to anything I have ever seen before.

Her prices are around £250-350, but I think that is well worth it because she makes them entirely by hand, you can choose your fabric design, she measures your feet so they are custom made to fit and it takes her 6 weeks to make them. I am going to start saving now! Check out her website for info; http://www.hettyrose.co.uk/